Smoking and How To Quit

For teens

Are you a young woman who smokes or do you know a young woman who smokes? You might think you can stop smoking at any time — and we hope you can and do! But the fact is, it will take 16 to 20 years of addicted smoking before the average person who started smoking as a teen will be able to quit for good.

Don't be that average person! It's time to recognize how smoking can affect a person's health now and in the future. You also need to know about the powerful and manipulating effects of tobacco advertising on young people. Increasingly, studies are showing that tobacco advertising is a major factor in teens' decisions to start smoking. In fact, it may be an even more important risk factor for smoking than having friends who smoke. Visit the girlshealth.gov smoking section to get straight talk on cigarettes and other forms of tobacco, as well as tools to help you say no to tobacco.